Flash Stephen Rudd's get-rich-quick scam was in tatters today as he faced jail for ripping off old folk in a home improvements scam.

The Chronicle exposed the crooked deals which caused misery to pensioners whose homes were ruined by his workmen from hell.

Now his victims, many still counting the cost of the shoddy workmanship, have been told Rudd faces jail after he admitted the rip-off.

Bangle wearing Rudd, 28, boss of Global Seal Home Improvements, and members of his workforce, systematically preyed on the elderly using high-pressure techniques.

But their work was at best sub-standard and in some cases none existent.

Yet they charged their 'customers' thousands of pounds over the odds for replacement windows, doors and home security.

As reported in the later editions of last night's Chronicle, Rudd, of Teal Farm, Washington, admitted nine specimen charges of deception at Newcastle Crown Court involving orders worth over #13,000.

Three of his staff, brothers Garry and Kevin Donoghue, and Albert Jones also admitted deception and will be sentenced next month.

Det Insp Ben Swanson of the Northumbria police fraud squad who headed the inquiry said: "This was a exploitation of elderly folk.

"They even had a tactic of calling in certain areas at certain times of day in the hope that the elderly residents would be on their own.

"This was a painstaking inquiry by officers from the fraud squad and area command. We would also like to thank Sunderland City Council for its assistance in helping to survey the work and helping establish the over priced costing."

The Chronicle revealed how the fraud squad raided Global Seal Home Improvements in Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead in July 1999.

They seized documents, accounts and letters all of which helped expose Rudd.

Other employees and ex-salesmen who also faced charges included brothers Garry Donoghue, 24, of Finchale Close, and Kevin, 28, of Lunedale Avenue, both Sunderland, employee, Andrew Murray, 37, of Thorn Bridge, Teal Farm, Washington, Albert Jones, 61, of North Primrose Hill, James Haigh, 49, of Dartmouth Avenue, and Dennis McDonald, 40, of Wealcroft, all Gateshead. The prosecution offered no evidence against former employees Mr Murray, Mr Haigh, Mr Armstrong, and Mr McDonald, who were all cleared of the offences.

It was not the first time Rudd and the company had been hauled before the courts.

He admitted ten offences under the Consumer Protection Act at Seaham magistrates in 1999, five personal breaches and five against his firm.

Then Rudd was ordered to pay #250 for each offence and #1,989 costs.

More than 40 customers, the majority elderly or infirm, were interviewed by police.

The average age of the victims was 75 and the oldest was 98. Global Seal covered the whole of the North East from Morpeth to Tyneside and Durham to Hartlepool.

It is understood some of his victims could only get the salesman out of their homes by signing the work agreement.